Reduce Stress: How Aquariums Benefit Mental Health
Your Aquarium Can Improve Your Mental Health!
Ever pondered the presence of aquariums in medical and dental waiting rooms? Well, it's not just a random choice – there are science-backed reasons for it. Research indicates a variety of benefits to having aquariums in healthcare settings, including decreased blood pressure, diminished anxiety, heightened pain tolerance, and more. In fact, these benefits are not limited to just medical offices-- studies show that aquariums can effectively lower stress levels and induce relaxation in a variety of contexts. Curious to know how your aquarium hobby can contribute to both mental and physical well-being? Let's dive in!
The Therapeutic Effects of Color
The study of how colors can impact human behavior, emotions, and perceptions is often referred to as "color psychology." Color psychology explores the psychological effects of different colors and how they can influence aspects of human cognition and mood. When it comes to home aquariums, blue and green are usually the predominant colors. What does color psychology have to say about how these colors impact mood?
Blue
Saltwater aquariums and many non-planted freshwater tanks are usually blue in color due to lighting or common aquarium backgrounds. Research indicates that the color blue may contribute to stress reduction and positive mood, possibly due to its association with clear skies and clean water. Psychologically we associate this color with calm, happy, pure, and trustworthy. Have you noticed that many social media logos are blue? How about links on the internet before you click them? This is by design– we inherently feel safe and more open around this color. Interestingly, the color has also been shown to decrease appetite (notably, there aren’t many blue fast food logos), so if you’re looking to start a new diet, maybe try placing a small aquarium in the kitchen!
Green
If you have a planted aquarium, you’re also in luck! Studies have shown that exposure to green environments, whether in nature or through interior design elements, has been linked to reduced stress, increased relaxation, positive mood, and general well-being. This is why green is often used in healthcare settings (notice the furniture colors next time you visit a doctor’s office– chances are it’s some variant of green). It is also considered a restful color for the eyes, so relaxing your gaze on green objects may help reduce eye strain and visual fatigue. Some studies have even suggested that the color green enhances creativity, concentration, and productivity– all the more reason to add a pico planted tank to your office space!
Connection to Nature
Many studies have noted a link between nature connectedness and improved mood, vitality, life satisfaction and overall well-being. Moreover, it has been theorized that exposure to nature can help restore depleted cognitive resources and support emotional and physiological recovery from stressful events. One 2008 study found that exposure to natural elements (live plants, window views, sunlight, landscape photographs, etc.) in work environments was associated with decreased levels of diastolic blood pressure, depression, and anxiety, as well as increased attention [1].
Aquatic environments are a slice of nature we rarely get to experience in our daily lives, especially if you live in a big city or landlocked state. Having aquariums in our homes brings us in contact with elements of the natural world that we may never see in the wild. We get the chance to observe the unique wonders of aquatic life up close and personal, right in our livingrooms!
Sense of Purpose & Structure
Caring for animals has been demonstrated to produce a sense of purpose that enhances overall well-being. As an example, researchers observed increased relaxation, control, happiness, and activity in nursing home residents who were given the responsibility of caring for a bird feeder [2]. Some say the act of caring for a pet can trigger the release of oxytocin, the warm & fuzzy “love hormone” associated with bonding and stress reduction.
The need for feeding, water changes, inspecting for illness, plant pruning, and other routine aquarium tasks can also provide a sense of purpose and responsibility, helping to structure the day and distract your mind from negative thought patterns or destructive behaviors. Are you trying to kick a bad habit? Maybe it's the perfect time to start up a new high-tech planted tank that requires regular observation, fertilization, and aquascaping maintenance.
Mindfulness & Meditation
Incorporating mindful observation of an aquarium into your daily routine provides a valuable opportunity to pause, breathe, and connect with the present moment.
Observing the gentle movements of fish, ethereal sway of aquatic plants, or glimmering shimmer of aquarium lights can provide calming visual stimulation to encourage mindfulness. The earthy smell of aquarium plants, soft bubbling of a filter, or the gentle flow of water contribute to a multisensory experience, further promoting connection to the present moment through sensory awareness.
Mental Rest & Restoration
The simple and serene environment of an aquarium provides a visual and mental break from the complexities of daily life. This reduction in mental clutter allows for a clearer, more focused mind.
Mental fatigue is something we’ve all experienced– just think of how zombified you feel at the end of a long work day, after an intense study session, or after trying to show your great aunt Magda how to use her smartphone for the 467th time. If we think of the mind as a muscle, periods of direct attention (otherwise known as extended concentration) are like spending hours at the gym focused on just biceps. By the end of your workout, your arms will feel like Jell-O from concentrated, repetitive use. Direct attention requires a period of rest to recuperate and regain function, just like resting an overused muscle. Indirect attention (or soft fascination), on the other hand, is having focus without expending much energy. In our example, this would be like spending hours admiring your biceps in the mirror while you take gym selfies-- your muscle is engaged, but not overworked. This state is restorative and allows the mind to recover from fatigue, improving cognition and concentration for subsequent tasks.
Aquariums (and other nature scenes) provide the perfect source of indirect attention to allow our direct attention stores to recuperate. Even taking just five minutes to watch your aquarium has been shown to increase mood and focus while reducing anxiety, and the positive results can be seen from viewing aquariums both in person and via video recordings [3]. This means that if you’re unable to set up a tank at your office, you can still reap the cognitive benefits by simply watching aquarium videos, or setting up a camera on your at-home tank to view a live feed whenever you need a mental reset.
The Calming Sound of Water
If your aquarium has a strong filter outflow or bubbler, you can enjoy the calming sounds of running or babbling water as an added bonus of aquarium keeping!
The positive effects of water sounds on mental health are often attributed to the evolutionary significance of water in human history, where access to water sources was crucial for survival. As a result, the sound of running water may have become associated with safety, nourishment, and relaxation over time. Insomniacs rejoice! The sound can also serve as white noise to cancel out distractions and help you fall asleep at night.
Increased Social Interaction & Belonging
Being an aquarium owner can create opportunities for social interaction, whether at the local fish store, within online communities, or at local clubs and events. Interacting with fellow hobbyists to exchange tips, share your enthusiasm and fish memes, and discover new products will help give you a sense of belonging to a greater community.
Many areas have aquarium clubs or societies that organize regular meetings, events, and shows. Participating in these gatherings allows hobbyists to increase social connections, and the digital age has made it even easier for aquarium enthusiasts to connect globally through online forums and social media groups.
If you haven't already, consider following the BRS Fresh online accounts to become a part of our growing community and meet likeminded individuals!
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References:
- Berman MG, Jonides J, Kaplan S. The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychol Sci. 2008; 19: 1207–1212.
- Cox DTC, Gaston KJ. Urban bird feeding: Connecting people with nature. PLoS One. 2016;11(7):1–13. 10.1371/journal.pone.0158717
- Lundberg A, Srinivasan M (2021) Effect of the presence of an aquarium in the waiting area on the stress, anxiety and mood of adult dental patients: A controlled clinical trial. PLoS ONE 16(10): e0258118. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0258118
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